Pro11 Trials

Football trials with scouts from professional clubs

Pro11 Trials organises trial days in the United Kingdom with the stated aim of putting players in front of as many football club scouts as possible. The company presents itself as a bridge between aspiring footballers and the professional recruitment system, relying on coaches and scouts from different levels, from the Premiership to League 3 and semi-professional teams.

The process is straightforward: the player books their trial, attends the call-up and showcases their skills in front of the attending scouts. The organisation indicates that the decision on possible club interest is usually communicated at the end of the day, and that coaches provide feedback during the event itself so that the player can apply it to their development.

Trial types and ages

The call-up catalogue is organised by trial type and age group, so that each player can find the right category:

• Pre-academy trials.
• U8 to U16 trials.
• Open age trials.
• Girl-specific trials.
• Goalkeeper trials.

The call-ups are aimed at both outfield players and goalkeepers, and in some formats categories are grouped together, such as U6/7 alongside U8 to U16, or U16 to U21 in open age events.

National coverage and venues

Pro11 Trials holds trials across the country and organises its offering by region: East Anglia, East Midlands, Essex/Kent, Merseyside, Midlands, North East, North Wales/Chester, North West, South East/Greater London, South West/South Wales and Yorkshire. The company therefore operates in England and Wales, with events spread across the north, the Midlands, the south and the London area.

Among the venues that appear in the call-ups are LCFA Sefton, on Drummond Road (Liverpool); the University of Lancashire Sports Arena (PR2 1SG); Rectory Park, home of Middlesex FA, in Northolt (UB5 5FA); and Newport Pagnell Town FC, in Buckinghamshire (MK16 0DF). The trials are presented as open to players who live within 90 minutes' travel of the event location, and clubs from the corresponding areas take part.

Results and participants' progress

The website includes cases of players who, after attending their trials, have taken the step up to clubs or have been invited to train with them. Among the examples cited are Daniel Silva, a U16 winger who began training with Connah's Quay Nomads after attending an event in Manchester; Woody Carlton, who signed for Warrington Town's U18s; Harvey Pownall, who signed for Flint Town United FC; and Charlie Wilson, who went on trial at Leeds United FC.

Feedback from attending scouts

The website itself compiles testimonials from scouts describing their experience at the events. A senior scout who says he has worked for three Premiership and League 1 clubs notes that he has been attending since 2018 because of the professionalism of the events and because he can see many players of different ages. Other testimonials highlight the organisation, the smooth running of the days and the communication with participants, and mention having identified players at trials in the Manchester and Yorkshire regions or having invited footballers to their U21 structures. Among those signing these comments are names such as Mike Thompson, Ross Weare, Clayton Donaldson, Barry Unwin (Sheffield Wednesday scout), Ayulie Dabor, Steve Mort and Paul Duffy.

Practical information for participants

The organisation reminds players that they must bring enough fluids to stay hydrated during the event, that shin pads are mandatory for everyone and that goalkeepers must bring their gloves. All other details are referred to the booking confirmation. As for administrative support, the company is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00.